Corsica vs Sardinia | CNN Travel Foodies should make Sardinia their first stop. The island’s cuisine incorporates meat, fish and pasta with equal variety. Traditional dishes include tiny, shell-like maloreddu pasta, wild piglet cooked in honey and spaghetti with sea urchins. Fresh fish is grilled, fried, roasted or poached and often topped with elaborate sauces and dressings or a specialty called "bottarga," delicious Sardinian mullet roe. Tuna is served raw and rare in the town of Carloforte ( Al Tonno di Corsa , Via Marconi 47; +33 495 781 855 106), which is known for its annual tuna fishing festival. Sardinia has a busy wine list, too, especially if you like whites -- dry Vermentino di Gallura is one of the island’s best-known; Funtanaliras is an aromatic contrast. Corsica's contented pigs Corsica's pigs end up as saucisson ... they seem unfazed about it.Corsica also has traditional menus, but with less variety.

Clams filled with cream or melted Roquefort are a striking specialty, from the town of Bonifacio ( L’Escale , Quai Jérôme Comparetti 4; +33 495 731 979). Generally, though, for an island, fish menus are limited on Corsica. This is a meaty place. Charcuterie plateaux features all types of ham, salami and local cheese. An island specialty is Corsica's saucissons -- dense, cured sausages that look like mini-truncheons, available everywhere. They contain enough flavor to keep a Corsican bandit happy when hiding out in the inland wilderness (the maquis of legend) and appropriately keep for weeks without refrigeration. You’re struck by how contended the half-wild pigs appear, lazing in the undergrowth all over the island. Corsica: Happy campers Corsica has more than 150 camp sites, with more than 25,000 places to pitch. Some are like little towns, with full-service laundries, pizzerias and restaurants, bars and Wi-Fi.

With so many campers, you’d think you’d be constantly tripping over Gore-Tex, but sites tend to be clustered in areas with easy access to beaches -- again, the inland is unbesmirched. More about Corsican camping is available at Campingcorse.com . The island's strict planning laws prohibit much development on the coast. Accordingly, many hotels and resorts are clustered a few hundred meters inland, as if afraid of the sea. Others are a kilometer or more from the coast and tend to be more upscale, such as Residence Pietra di Sole (+33 495 70 36 74), which rises on a hillside with views over Palombaggia beach. Inland, accommodation is often in converted ancient inns open only in the warmer seasons or, for walkers, gites with basic, shared accommodation and hearty, rustic meals. Corsica is also one of the most pet-friendly destinations in Europe: dogs and cats are welcome at campsites and most hotels. More about accommodation on Corsica is available at Visit-Corsica.com .

Sardinia: Resort winner Unlike Corsica, Sardinia has resorts right on the coastline.If you want to walk from your hotel room to the beach, a Sardinian resort -- crowded but comfy -- is the obvious choice. Many have private beaches and all the usual resort accouterments of multiple restaurants and swim up -- or the more conventional lean-on -- bars. Costa Smeralda has the island’s most elite accommodations. More mid-range fare is clustered in the south of the island. Hotel Dune (Via Bau 1; +39 070 977 130), near some of Europe's tallest sand dunes, has a private beach in a natural setting. Inland, Hotel Su Gologone (+39 0784 287 512), in Oliena, is an upscale village stay, where life in the surrounding countryside remains fairly traditional. Sardinia: Colorful history When you’re not hanging out with Silvio or eating pork sausages, how do the islands compare for feeding your curiosity?

In Sardinia, a boat tour of the protected archipelago of La Maddalena shows off the island’s beautiful pink-sand atolls, which you can swim in. A trip to the ruins of the prehistoric village of Barumini , with its stone towers, reveals a little of what the island would have been like several thousand years before all-inc package tours. Sardinia’s capital, Cagliari , has elegant Baroque avenues and plenty of busy markets -- mainly selling food but also clothes and furniture. Just as Corsica was to France (see below), Sardinia was once Italy’s Wild West. The town of Orgaloso is a former bandits' stronghold now renowned for the skillfully rendered political murals decorating its walls. Corsica: Criminal past Corsican renegades once escaped into the maquis -- the inland wilderness -- and so can you. Corsica has an even more renowned criminal heritage than Sardinia. You can sleep in another ex-outlaw stronghold, Sartène , soaking up more of that faded lawless vibe. The island also has a bandit’s ransom of superb views and natural sights.

Bonifacio, atop a plunging cliff overlooking the cobalt sweep of the Mediterranean, is one of the most dramatically sited towns on Earth. No wonder there are cannon poking over the cliff to protect it. The Unesco World Heritage Site of Calanches has weird, red rock formations, like giant termite mounds. You can rent a car and tour the rocky peninsula of Cap Corse , with freaky precipices and solitary jet-black beaches. The waterfall of Piscia di Gallu, near Porto Vecchio, is an easy two-hour introduction to walking on the island. Call it a draw? Corsica or Sardinia? - Corsica Forum - TripAdvisor Corsica or Sardinia? - Corsica Forum Review a place you’ve visited JOIN Corsica or Sardinia? May 09, 2012, 7:08 AM We are planning on splitting our 3 wk holiday between Sardinia and Corsica. We have two children, aged 8 and 11. Looking to spend 2 weeks on one island and the 3rd week on the other.

Probably looking at south Corsica and north of Sardinia, will travel with car and looking for a villa rental for the whole period. We are looking for good food (sea food...?) and beaches, possibly sailing school or kayaks for the children - any recommendations on where and which island for longer? Many thanks Travelers interested in this topic also viewed... Show Prices 1. Re: Corsica or Sardinia? May 09, 2012, 7:57 AM Hey Scillonian, Both islands are great and i am sure that you and your family will have an amazing time. Corsica is a bit more on the "nature" side, ie. more moutains, wildlife, untouched sceneries, etc. whilst Sardinia is a bit more flat, rocky, dry and constructed (although i admit it, i am completely bias!) but both are beautiful and with strong authentic cultures. If you are looking for large resort with luxury shops, then Sardinia is more for you - if you are looking for canyoning and moutain activities spend more time in Corsica (both have amazing beaches).

One comment though on your note, it is quite unlikely that a car rental will be doable as insurances typically dont cover boarder crossing (although you can negotiate it at a premium). In terms of location, for Corsica you should consider Bonifacio which is close to the ferry terminal to go to Sardinia - it has amazing beaches (Piantarella, Sperone, Lavezzi islands, etc.) and you will find for your kids what is simply the best sailing school in the world (and i mean it - although still bias of course) at les glenans: …asso.fr/FR/…art_32793.php Enjoy Corsica...and Sardinia! 2. Re: Corsica or Sardinia? May 09, 2012, 9:41 AM Hi Scillonian, I have never been to Sardinia , but I can strongly vouch for Corsica for the reason villafanny mentions. If you would consider Haute-Corse I can recommend the little seaside village of Algajola in the Balagne region.

The 1½ km long sandy beach runs all the way into the village - and it offers windsurfing school, diving school, kayak rentals and all sort of other water sports. And because the beach ends in a rocky parts it is also a fabolous place for snorkling with lots os fish. Algajola has some 10 excellent restaurants. Algajola is 3½ h drive away from Bonifacio. See more about Algajola on my website: Have a great vacation. 5. Re: Corsica or Sardinia? May 27, 2012, 2:51 PM " Sardinia is dry and dusty" Sardinia isn't any drier or dustier than Corsica. Depends on the season. Report inappropriate content 6. Re: Corsica or Sardinia? Jun 22, 2013, 9:42 PM -:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:- This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason. Removed on: 9:42 pm, June 22, 2013 1-6 of 6 replies Corsica vs Sardinia - Sardinia Forum - TripAdvisor Corsica vs Sardinia - Sardinia Forum Review a place you’ve visited JOIN Corsica vs Sardinia Jan 08, 2010, 8:01 AM Hello, a bit of a silly question but for anyone who has been to both Sardinia and Corsica - what were the main differences? Or which island did people enjoy more/less and for what reasons... I would be looking in to a weeks long relax and enjoy some sun at the end of main tourist summer season... Since I dont speak Italian (and I do French) I would assume I would enjoy Corsica a little more- but a language thing isnt a good enough excuse to avoid a location. Thanks, One destination mentioned in this post Travelers interested in this topic also viewed... Show Prices 1.

Re: Corsica vs Sardinia Jan 08, 2010, 11:48 AM English is widely spoken in Sardinia, so you will not have any language barriers. Which ever island you choose you can take a day trip to visit the other one on the ferry. Report inappropriate content 2. Re: Corsica vs Sardinia Jan 08, 2010, 5:22 PM In my opinion, outside of central Cagliari, Palau due to the former US base & a few tourist resorts such as Alghero & Porto Cervo, English is not widely spoken at all in Sardinia. Quite the opposite. Obviously, as you say, that really shouldn't be a deciding factor on whether to visit - I see it as more of a plus! As it happens, for menus & such, German is more likely to be seen before English. Corsica is much smaller, in parts wilder and more mountainous than Sardinia. It has comparatively few beaches as against the 600 plus recognised beaches on Sardinia however there are a few gems notably in the South West & S.East of the island.

Food and wine is far more expensive in Corsica especially for eating out; the range and quality of local cuisine is much lower excepting patisserie... Take note that while these islands are still a relatively new holiday discovery for northern Europeans, particularly the British, they are well & truly known and used for summer holidays by the French & Italians thus, given the fewer number, the Corsican beaches can become incredibly busy particularly during August. One destination mentioned in this post 3. Re: Corsica vs Sardinia Jan 08, 2010, 5:47 PM This is a very difficult one to answer. I have visited Corsica approximately 10 times between 1966 when I first visited with my parents as a child and the last time in September 2009. I have only visited Sardinia 3 times, the last time in June 2009. Compared to most Mediterranean islands, both Corsica and Sardinia are very unspoilt. They both have fabulous beaches, but in July and August those beaches are now mobbed with tourists. Both islands are better visited in May or June.

Corsica is slightly more expensive than Sardinia, both islands really are Italianate in flavour. (Corsica is not really French at heart but a very individual island with an Italian feel). The traditional food in Corsica is very hearty, wild boar stews, etc.whilst the Italian cuisine on Sardinia is well more Italian, pasta, fish, pizza etc. The last time we were on Sardinia we travelled from Chia/Pula in the south, through Cagliari, up the east coast through the mountains to the north and Olbia. The scenery was wonderful. The west coast as described by Dancing Brave is supposed to be quieter and very pretty. Corsica is all mountains and the west coast around the gulf of Porto has the best scenery imaginable. I can't choose between the two islands now, it may be that if possible you should spend a week on both of them and that is the only way to answer your original question ! One destination mentioned in this post 7. Re: Corsica vs Sardinia Jan 09, 2010, 5:14 PM >which island is better for someone relying on public transportation?

Depends where you want to stay and whether you want to move around. Generally speaking, Sardinia. Although many destinations are patently awkward or even unreachable without a car or a massive c/card limit for taxis, both islands have locations that are well serviced and easy to reach from the airport. Alghero is the prime example. Of course, the type of travelling makes a difference too. We've done camping/ hiking tours of both islands using the bus/ train networks; indeed we quite often leave the car in Corte, Corsica and use the train to shuffle up and down between hiking tracks. The main problem with Sardinia is that the routings are very region centric. Locations that look a simple hop on the map may be an all day, multi change affair. Furthermore the timetables are typically geared to bring people into town early in the morning departing between 6&9, then bring them back late in the afternoon between 4&8 with little to no service in between. Thus wrong time & wrong direction for most holiday makers. Report inappropriate content 8.

Re: Corsica vs Sardinia Jul 09, 2010, 12:16 AM -:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:- This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one. To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason. Removed on: 12:16 am, July 09, 2010 1-8 of 8 replies North or South Sardinia? Find out the main differences of Sardinia coasts Find out the main differences between the northern and southern coast of the Island From North to South, the island has some common traits: crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches, a delicious cuisine and an ancient wine culture , welcoming tourist towns and inner areas where old traditions are still alive. But Sardinia is a large region. The coastline changes continuously and towns and tourist destinations are quite different from each other.

The maximum distance from North to South is the one from Capo Falcone, in the extreme northern tip of Sardinia, to Capo Teulada, in the south of the island: about 270 kms. From West to East, there is a maximum distance of 145 kms from Capo Comino to Capo dell'Argentiera. The latter is much closer to the North African coast than to Italy. North Sardinia The coastline in the North of the island is much more indented then in the South. There are many small rocky bays and coves and only a few long sandy beaches. The North Eastern part is mountainous, while and the Gallura subregion is characterized by granite cliffs. In Northeast Sardinia, each village and tourist destination has its own peculiarities: the Costa Smeralda is characterized by a crystal clear sea and a glamorous atmosphere. The La Maddalena Archipelago features a stunning sea and breathtaking views. Santa Teresa Gallura is the closest town to Corsica. Here you can take a ferry to visit Bonifacio. Driving along the North-western coast of Sardinia, you find Isola Rossa, Stintino and Alghero .

These are the most popular tourist destinations, not only for the beaches (which are growing longer every year), but also for the lively nightlife, especially on July and August. South Sardinia The inland of the Southern part of the island is dominated by a vast green plain called Campidano. The shoreline here is more heterogeneous. The coast is quite regular and it features many long sandy beaches, less crowded than in the North, even during the high season. Many beaches in Sardinia are so spectacular that recall those of the Caribbean islands. Cagliari, the capital city of Sardinia, is located right in the middle of the Southern coast. Both East and West of Cagliari there are some wonderful beach resorts, such as Chia and Santa Margherita di Pula to the West , and Villasimius and Costa Rei to the East . Your travel style To sum up, there is no doubt about the beauty of the sea and the beaches in the whole island, but before choosing where to spend your holidays, there is one fundamental question you have to ask yourself: what kind of holiday are you looking for? If you are looking for a glamorous holiday in a luxury hotel, the Costa Smeralda is the right place for you.

If you wish to find peace and quiet and less crowded beaches, you can choose among many resorts in the North , which have just what you need. If you love hiking, snorkeling and bike tours and you want experience an active holiday in order to to explore a different bay everyday and walking in the mountains, the Ogliastra region is your goal. It is located in Central Eastern Sardinia and it is considered as an “island in the island”. Both the Southern and Northern beaches, with fine sand and shallow waters, are perfect for a family holiday . You can find several children friendly hotels with services and activities dedicated to small guests. Furthermore, the Sardinia Family Hotels are usually placed at a short distance from small towns and beach resorts with nice restaurants, lovely shops and boutiques. In order to discover the most traditional and fascinating side of the island you might explore the central part of Sardinia or choose to visit the island during the low and mid season . Corsica vs Sardinia - Sardinia Message Board - TripAdvisor 2.

Re: Corsica vs Sardinia 08 January 2010, 22:22 In my opinion, outside of central Cagliari, Palau due to the former US base & a few tourist resorts such as Alghero & Porto Cervo, English is not widely spoken at all in Sardinia. Quite the opposite. Obviously, as you say, that really shouldn't be a deciding factor on whether to visit - I see it as more of a plus! As it happens, for menus & such, German is more likely to be seen before English. Corsica is much smaller, in parts wilder and more mountainous than Sardinia. It has comparatively few beaches as against the 600 plus recognised beaches on Sardinia however there are a few gems notably in the South West & S.East of the island. Food and wine is far more expensive in Corsica especially for eating out; the range and quality of local cuisine is much lower excepting patisserie...

Take note that while these islands are still a relatively new holiday discovery for northern Europeans, particularly the British, they are well & truly known and used for summer holidays by the French & Italians thus, given the fewer number, the Corsican beaches can become incredibly busy particularly during August. One destination mentioned in this post 3. Re: Corsica vs Sardinia 08 January 2010, 22:47 This is a very difficult one to answer. I have visited Corsica approximately 10 times between 1966 when I first visited with my parents as a child and the last time in September 2009. I have only visited Sardinia 3 times, the last time in June 2009. Compared to most Mediterranean islands, both Corsica and Sardinia are very unspoilt. They both have fabulous beaches, but in July and August those beaches are now mobbed with tourists. Both islands are better visited in May or June. Corsica is slightly more expensive than Sardinia, both islands really are Italianate in flavour. (Corsica is not really French at heart but a very individual island with an Italian feel).

The traditional food in Corsica is very hearty, wild boar stews, etc.whilst the Italian cuisine on Sardinia is well more Italian, pasta, fish, pizza etc. The last time we were on Sardinia we travelled from Chia/Pula in the south, through Cagliari, up the east coast through the mountains to the north and Olbia. The scenery was wonderful. The west coast as described by Dancing Brave is supposed to be quieter and very pretty. Corsica is all mountains and the west coast around the gulf of Porto has the best scenery imaginable. I can't choose between the two islands now, it may be that if possible you should spend a week on both of them and that is the only way to answer your original question ! One destination mentioned in this post 7. Re: Corsica vs Sardinia 09 January 2010, 22:14 >which island is better for someone relying on public transportation? Depends where you want to stay and whether you want to move around. Generally speaking, Sardinia.

Although many destinations are patently awkward or even unreachable without a car or a massive c/card limit for taxis, both islands have locations that are well serviced and easy to reach from the airport. Alghero is the prime example. Of course, the type of travelling makes a difference too. We've done camping/ hiking tours of both islands using the bus/ train networks; indeed we quite often leave the car in Corte, Corsica and use the train to shuffle up and down between hiking tracks. The main problem with Sardinia is that the routings are very region centric. Locations that look a simple hop on the map may be an all day, multi change affair. Furthermore the timetables are typically geared to bring people into town early in the morning departing between 6&9, then bring them back late in the afternoon between 4&8 with little to no service in between. Thus wrong time & wrong direction for most holiday makers. Report inappropriate content 8. Re: Corsica vs Sardinia 09 July 2010, 05:16 -:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:- This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one. To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason. Removed on: 09 July 2010, 05:16 1-8 of 8 replies Corsica or Sardinia? - Corsica Message Board - TripAdvisor 1. Re: Corsica or Sardinia? 09 May 2012, 12:57 Hey Scillonian, Both islands are great and i am sure that you and your family will have an amazing time. Corsica is a bit more on the "nature" side, ie. more moutains, wildlife, untouched sceneries, etc. whilst Sardinia is a bit more flat, rocky, dry and constructed (although i admit it, i am completely bias!) but both are beautiful and with strong authentic cultures.

If you are looking for large resort with luxury shops, then Sardinia is more for you - if you are looking for canyoning and moutain activities spend more time in Corsica (both have amazing beaches). One comment though on your note, it is quite unlikely that a car rental will be doable as insurances typically dont cover boarder crossing (although you can negotiate it at a premium). In terms of location, for Corsica you should consider Bonifacio which is close to the ferry terminal to go to Sardinia - it has amazing beaches (Piantarella, Sperone, Lavezzi islands, etc.) and you will find for your kids what is simply the best sailing school in the world (and i mean it - although still bias of course) at les glenans: …asso.fr/FR/…art_32793.php Enjoy Corsica...and Sardinia! 2. Re: Corsica or Sardinia? 09 May 2012, 14:41 Hi Scillonian, I have never been to Sardinia , but I can strongly vouch for Corsica for the reason villafanny mentions.

If you would consider Haute-Corse I can recommend the little seaside village of Algajola in the Balagne region. The 1½ km long sandy beach runs all the way into the village - and it offers windsurfing school, diving school, kayak rentals and all sort of other water sports. And because the beach ends in a rocky parts it is also a fabolous place for snorkling with lots os fish. Algajola has some 10 excellent restaurants. Algajola is 3½ h drive away from Bonifacio. See more about Algajola on my website: Have a great vacation. Corsica and Sardinia : Image of the Day News & Notes download large image (242 KB, JPEG, 1440x1880) Rich in antiquities and picturesque landscapes, the island provinces of Corsica, France, (top) and Sardinia, Italy, (bottom) have captured the imaginations of historians and poets alike for centuries. Corsica, crowned with snow-capped mountains, jeweled with shimmering lakes, and cloaked in misty emerald forests, is situated in the sapphire blue Mediterranean Sea southeast of mainland France.

The island enjoys a relatively warm climate consisting of hot, dry summers full of sunshine, and mild winters that rarely dip below 0�C (32�F). In this scene, Corsica is the smaller island to the north. The island has almost 1,700 hills and mountains, ranging from 300 to over 2,700 meters in height. The tallest of these peaks is the snow-capped Monte Cinto toward the northern end of the island. Coursing throughout the island is an extensive network of rivers, carved into Corsica's granite face by snowmelt and rainwater runoff. The Corsican Cape sits on the island's northern finger; its eastern slope is somewhat hilly. There are quite a few agricultural fields and vineyards visible as the light green swath to the south all along the eastern shore. Along the southern shore are the dazzling cliffs of Bonifacio. Moving up the west coast in the state of Ajaccio we see a jagged, chiseled water front, reminiscent of the famous fjords of Norway. There are four large gulfs and many smaller rocky inlets sculpted into Corsica's west coast.

Moving soutward, they are the Gulfs of Porto, Sagone, Ajaccio, and Valinco. The larger island to the south--across the Strait of Bonifacio--is Sardinia, Italy, one the earliest populated lands of Europe. Some ancient artifacts date human populations there as old as 6000 B.C. Around 1500 B.C., another group of settlers arrived on the island (historians don't know where they came from) and spread quickly across the island. Known as the Nuragic people, these settlers built almost 30,000 circular fortresses--called "nuraghe"-- around the island; each strategically located so that they were within eyesight of their nearest neighbors. Today, about 7,000 nuraghe ruins still stand, unlike any other ruins in the world. Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean, situated due west of mainland Italy. Stretching across the central, eastern part of Sardinia is the rugged terrain of Gennargentu--mountainous and thickly vegetated.

Mostly uninhabited by people, the 50,000-hectare wilderness of Monte Arcosu is home to a unique population of fallow deer as well as wild boar, hares, foxes, golden eagles, and the Sardinian wildcat. Founded in the ninth century by Phoenicians, the port city of Cagliari sits on the large bay on Sardinia's southeastern coast. To the north lies the old city of Sassari (originally an ancient settlement called Tathari), situated on a hillside overlooking the large Gulf of Asinara. This true-color image was acquired by the Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), flying aboard NASA's Terra satellite, on December 7, 2001. Sardinia Guide | Italy Travel | Rough Guides Europe » Italy » Sardinia Closer to the North African coast at Tunisia than the Italian mainland and with a fierce sense of independence, Sardinia (Sardegna) can feel distinctly un-Italian. D.H.

Lawrence found it exotically different when he passed through here in 1921 – “lost”, as he put it, “between Europe and Africa and belonging to nowhere”. The island may seem less remote nowadays – and it’s certainly more accessible, with frequent flights serving Cagliari, Olbia and Alghero – but large tracts remain remarkably untouched by tourism, particularly the interior. The island’s main draw, however, is its dazzling coastline, with some of the cleanest beaches in Italy, which can be packed in peak season (particularly August), when ferries bring in a steady stream of sun-worshippers from what the islanders call il continente, or mainland Italy. The weather is generally warm enough for a swim as early as May, however, and October is bright and sunny – reason enough to avoid the summer crowds. Although not famed for its cultural riches, the island does hold some surprises, not least the remains of the various civilizations that passed through here.

Its central Mediterranean position ensured that it was never left alone for long, and from the Carthaginians onwards the island was ravaged by a succession of invaders, each of them leaving some imprint behind: Roman and Carthaginian ruins, Genoan fortresses and a string of elegant Pisan churches, not to mention some impressive Gothic and Spanish Baroque architecture. Perhaps most striking of all, however, are the remnants of Sardinia’s only significant native culture, known as the Nuraghic civilization after the seven-thousand-odd nuraghi (ancient stone towers) that litter the landscape. On the whole, Sardinia’s smaller centres are the most attractive, but the lively capital, Cagliari – for many the arrival point – shouldn’t be written off. With good accommodation and restaurants, it makes a useful base for exploring the southern third of the island. The other main ferry port is Olbia in the north, little more than a transit town but conveniently close to the pristine beaches of the jagged northern coast. The Costa Smeralda, a few kilometres distant, is Sardinia’s best-known resort area and lives up to its reputation for glitzy opulence.

Both Olbia and Cagliari have airports, as does the vibrant resort of Alghero in the northwest of the island, which retains its distinctive Catalan flavour and a friendly, unspoiled air despite its healthy tourist industry. Sardinia’s biggest interior town, Nuoro , makes a useful stopover for visiting some of the remoter mountain areas. Of these, the Gennargentu range, covering the heart of the island, holds the highest peaks and provides rich evidence of the island’s traditional culture, in particular the numerous village festivals. Brief history Of all the phases in Sardinia’s chequered history, the prehistoric Nuraghic era is perhaps the most intriguing. Although little is known about the society, plenty of traces survive, most conspicuous of which are the mysterious, stone-built constructions known as nuraghi, mainly built between 1500 and 500 BC both for defensive purposes and as dwellings, and unique to Sardinia. The Nuraghic culture peaked between the tenth and eighth centuries BC, trading with the Phoenicians, among others, from the eastern Mediterranean.

But from the sixth century BC, the more warlike Carthaginians settled on the island, with their capital less than 200km away near present-day Tunis, and their occupation continued gradually until it was challenged by the emergence of Rome. Caught in the middle, the Sards fought on both sides until their decisive defeat by the Romans in 177–176 BC. A core of survivors fled into the impenetrable central and eastern mountains, where they retained their independence in an area called Barbaria by the Romans, known today as the Barbagia. The most impressive remains left by the Romans can be seen in Cagliari, at nearby Nora, and at Tharros, west of Oristano – all Carthaginian sites later enlarged by Roman settlers – and strong Latin traces still survive in the Sard dialect today. After the Roman withdrawal around the fifth century, the destructive effects of malaria and corsair raids from North Africa prompted the abandonment of the island’s coasts in favour of more secure inland settlements. The numerous coastal watchtowers still surviving testify to the constant threat of piracy and invasion.

In the eleventh century ecclesiastical rights over Sardinia were granted to the rising city-state of Pisa, with its influence mainly concentrated in the south, based in Cagliari, and Pisan churches can be found throughout Sardinia. By the end of the thirteenth century, however, Pisa’s rival Genoa had established itself in the north of the island, with power bases in Sassari and on the coast. The situation was further complicated in 1297, when Pope Boniface VIII gave James II of Aragon exclusive rights over both Sardinia and Corsica in exchange for surrendering his claims to Sicily. Local resistance to the Aragonese was led by Arborea, the area around present-day Oristano, and championed in particular by Eleanor of Arborea, whose forces succeeded in stemming the Spanish advance. Following her death in 1404, however, Sardinian opposition crumbled, beginning three centuries of Spanish occupation. Traces of Spain’s long dominion survive in Sardinia’s dialects and in the sprinkling of Gothic and Baroque churches and palaces, with Alghero, in particular, still retaining a strong Catalan dialect.

In the wake of the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–20), Victor Amadeus, Duke of Savoy, took possession of the island, which became the new Kingdom of Sardinia. Garibaldi embarked on both his major expeditions from his farm on one of Sardinia’s outlying islands, Caprera, and the Kingdom of Sardinia ended with the Unification of Italy in 1861. Since then, Sardinia’s integration into the modern nation-state has not always been easy. Outbreaks of banditry, for example, associated with the Gennargentu mountains in particular, were ruthlessly suppressed, but there was little money available to address the root causes of the problem, nor much interest in doing so. The island benefited from the land reforms of Mussolini, however, which included the harnessing and damming of rivers, the draining of land, and the introduction of agricultural colonies from the mainland. After World War II, Sardinia was granted semi-autonomous status, and the island was saturated with enough DDT to rid it of malaria forever.

Such improvements, together with the increasing revenues from tourism, have helped marginalize local opposition towards the central government, at the same time creating a bolthole for wealthy mainlanders and holiday-makers. Sardinia Sardinia, Sicily or Corsica in July/August for Honeymoon? - Rick Steves Travel Forum Please sign in to post. Sardinia, Sicily or Corsica in July/August for Honeymoon? 02/27/14 11:07 PM Hello all! My husband and I are planning a two week vacation this summer to celebrate a year of marriage. We're planning on spending one week biking in Tuscany (and seeing some sights in Siena/ Florence) and then hoping to head some place relatively quiet and beautiful for a week of relaxation in the sun. We will be visiting in the first week in August, which I realize is not the best timing as it will be quite busy at that time (sadly, we do not have flexibility with our schedules). After reading about possible places to go spend a week, we think we've "narrowed" our choices down to Sardinia, Sicily or Corsica.

We're looking for a place where we can get away from the crowds, eat delicious food, sit on a beautiful beach, and enjoy nature. What would you recommend? One caveat: while it is our honeymoon, we cannot nor do we want to spend tons of money. Staying at a nice hotel for some nights or renting a house that is nice and spending some money on some delicious dinners is our idea of splurging (so, no chartering of private yachts or anything :) Thanks in advance! 02/28/14 01:31 AM 7849 posts The best beaches in the entire world (or at least in the Med) are in Sardinia. Below is a guide to all of them (hundreds, one better than the next). I've been to Sardinia a few times and always in Gallura (the northernmost portion). Santa Teresa is nice. Castelsardo is probably the most famous quintessentially quaint village of Sardinia (basically Sardinia's answer to the Cinque Terre villages), which is also located on the northern side of the island.

Corsica is just as beautiful, more rugged and more lush and higher mountains (Sardinia is drier, more like Southern California). The official language is French, however the local dialect is a form of Tuscan (Corsica actually belonged to the Republic of Genoa until 1768, when they sold it to the French). The only drawback, at least in my experience, were the prices. Just cross the Bonifacio strait from Santa Teresa to Bonifacio, and everything will cost 50% more. However if you stay in or near Santa Teresa in Sardinia, you should take a day trip across to Bonifacio, a beautiful fortified village. There are ferries that go back and forth (45 min each way). While in north Sardinia, don't miss the Maddalena Archipelago. There are plenty of day boat excursions to the National Park of the Maddalena departing from the Santa Teresa or Palau harbor. Sicily is very beautiful also, but it has a lot of historical sites to see and time for the beach would be limited. You could spend a month in Sicily and not see half of it. It's the Italian region with the most things to see.

In August, none of those places will offer opportunities to "get away from the crowds". It's August Bess, and half of Europe will be in those 3 islands. Prices will also be at their highest (no matter where you go). Whatever you decide, remember that: 1. you need a rental car, especially in Sardinia and Corsica 2. you need to reserve early, because in August, everything will be sold out, including under bridges. 02/28/14 05:54 PM 79 posts I've only been to the beaches in Alghero, Bosa and Stintino but they all took my breath away. We rented an apartment directly across the street from the beach in Alghero and had a dream come true holiday. We were there in August and Roberto is correct in suggesting that you book early. It is definitely high season. Posted by Bess OP 02/28/14 06:10 PM 6 posts Thank you for your responses! It's especially helpful to know that Corsica will be significantly more expensive than Sardinia or Sicily.

One concern I have about Sardinia is that it sounds as though a significant portion of the coast is quite built up with "package" resorts. Is this an incorrect assumption? Thanks again! 7849 posts Incorrect assumption. That might be true for Cancun. In Sardinia there are resorts, but the island is so huge that there are plenty of secluded places and also Agriturismo (farmhouse), although those tend not to be on the beach, but a few km. on the interior (who would farm on a beach?). Actually Sardinia is largely undeveloped and less densely populated than many of the mainland coast resorts. Just don't hang out too long on the Costa Smeralda (from Porto Cervo to Porto Rotondo). That area is indeed full of billionaires' resorts and villas, including Berlusconi's Villa Certosa and its volcano (can you imagine having so much money that you can afford to build a real volcano in your huge backyard?). They will pluck your wallet there. 03/04/14 03:56 AM 97 posts I will cast a rather 'weak' vote.

Several years ago we took the ferry from LIvorno to Corsica and spent an entire week just driving around. Stayed in pensions and the such. Did not spend a lot of money at all. Did not see very many tourists at all. It was quiet and time/money well spent. My vote is "weak" in that you absolutely would need a car. Contact Auto Europe just to see what a rental might cost. Have used them probably 10-15 times; nice people nice rates. Conclusion: Corsica; nice people very many nice things to see. Good luck; Richard P.S. A trip not far away for us is 2 weeks in Sicily/Malta. Have only been to Sicily once; if you like beautiful quaint mountain villages and wonderful ancient Greek architecture not a bad choice either. You would also need a car. Posted by Bess OP 03/04/14 07:19 PM 6 posts Thanks so much, Richard. Yes, I've gotten the impression that, at least for Sardinia or Corsica, we'd need to rent a car.

We're fine with that (though recognize it adds to the expense) if it allows us to get to some less crowded places. Sounds like we can't go wrong, but like we should choose either Corsica or Sardinia. Any feedback from folks on the food of these islands? Thanks again! 03/05/14 07:14 AM 7849 posts The food of Corsica is heavily influenced by Ligurian and Tuscan cuisine. Corsica was in fact part of the Republic of Pisa and the republic of Genoa at the time when those were 2 of the powerful Maritime Republics (such as Genoa, Pisa, Venice, Amalfi). The make a lot of good charcuterie (cold cuts) and good sheep cheese. Pork is a specialty too as well as seafood, of course. If you know Tuscan dishes to order just replace 'o' in Italian with 'u' in Corse. Pork loin is lonzo in Italian and lonzu in Corse, prosciutto is prisuttu, polenta is pulenta. Brocciu is a famous sheep cheese. Sardinian cuisine is great,but very different from what you might know as Italian.

My favorite dishes are Pane Frattau and proceddu (piglet in a pit) and the seafood (especially anything with their lobsters) but Sardinian cuisine is so vast (and unique) that you need a lifetime to taste everything they have. I'm sure you can google Sardinian cuisine and find their specialties. Although I'm Tuscan I prefer Sardinian cuisine to Corse. Maybe because in Corsica I found the same foods I could get at home in Tuscany (just more expensive). Corsica is French now, so many restaurants serve French cuisine as well. Corsica and/or Sardinia and/or Sicily in Sept. | Europe Forum | Fodor's Travel Talk Forums Corsica and/or Sardinia and/or Sicily in Sept. View all Europe activity » 1 8 Question about connecting flight in Europe and Customs by Attnymom | 10 responses; most recent on Dec 29, 16 at 08:43 AM 9 Connecting flights and rechecking bags.

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Posted by: barefootbeach on Sep 10, 10 at 07:56 PM Printer Friendly Hi, I'm just starting to plan our 3-4 week trip for next September...and all three islands seem wonderful at first glance. I originally wanted to visit all three, but think maybe we should cut it down to 2. I've been to France & the Cote d'Azur twice, and to Italy twice...so I like how these islands are unique to their country's mainland. Stunning scenery, atmospheric boutique type inns, great food, some moderate hiking, coastal boat rides, a day at the beach, with some culture thrown in, are all important. We'll be coming from the US. Would appreciate hearing why you like a particular island over another. Thanks! Michael on Sep 11, 10 at 12:07 AM You might want to read my trip report on Sicily. We shortened the trip for two reasons, and felt that we really would not have needed more than one more day outside Palermo, and perhaps a couple of days more in Palermo, assuming that the museum would be open.

I would think that you could do at least two islands in the three or more weeks that you are planning. The time spent also depends on the style of travel. valtor on Sep 11, 10 at 01:23 AM We spent two full weeks in Sicily then we continued for Malta - 4 days . We loved both Sicily and Malta and for us, the allocated time for each of them was correct. - Palermo 6 nights In the first day we took the hop on - hop off bus for the first view of the city. Then we walked and visited the city. We loved Mirto Palace, Massimo Theatre, Piazza Marina and the Garibaldi park with old , huge trees, Palazzo dei Normanni, Piazza Pretoria, Martorana church, teatro Garibaldi, the Cathedral From Palermo we made day trips to Erice, to Cefalu and to Monreale . We enjoyed Cefalu views, Monreale cathedral. We were not so impressed by Erice, found it too cold, too much stone! - Taormina 4 nights Taormina is lovely and the views are superb.

Visited the Greek Theatre, Isola Bella (by cable car). Day trip to Castelmola, for even more beautiful views of all Taormina and the sea. We took a day trip (organized trip) to Agrigento and Piazza Armerina. Loved the mosaics at Piazza Armerina, they are incredible nice and large. It was a good idea to take a trip, as the guide was very good and gave us interesting explanations regarding temples in Agrigento. - Ortigia 4 nights Loved the Cathedral , Archeological Museum, some churches in Siracusa. Done a day trip to Noto - a splendid baroque town. Visited there the Nicolaci Palace. After this, from Catania we arrived (by plane) to La Valletta (Malta) . Stayed there 4 nights yanumpty on Sep 11, 10 at 02:18 AM The only area of Europe that has beaches which comes close to the Caribbean are those on Sardinia. We have been to Sardinia five times and Sicily once.

We covered the whole of the east coast of Sicily and quite frankly other than the sight of Etna, the coastline was fairly average. The beaches are not that special. In short, I would look no further than the north east coast of Sardinia. The resorts of Cala Di Volpe and Porto Cervo are about as high end as Europe gets. The town of Santa Teresa is more middle market and has a lovely local feel. From this area you can easily take day trips to the beautiful Maddalena Islands or to Corsica. You can also take Whale watching trips from this area. Sicily does have far better architecture, food, history and a diverse "feel". If you are looking for the best coastlines in Europe head for Sardinia. yanumpty on Sep 11, 10 at 02:23 AM The logistics of travel between Sicily and Sardinia/Corsica are not great. I don't think that there are any direct flights or ferries you would have to travel through Naples or Rome. Over a 3/4 week break this isn't really an issue.

In the past we have combines Sardinia with a trip to Tuscany and have taken the car ferry over to Sardinia. Sardinia/Corsica work very well together as there is a very short ferry journey between the two, juts be careful with the car hire companies as clearly they are in different countries. barefootbeach on Sep 11, 10 at 10:53 AM Thanks to all of you for your specific comments...I really want to see Corsica, so I probably need to decide between Sicily and Sardinia. Michael, I will look up your trip report. Valtor, I'm surprised you liked 6 nights in Palermo...from my initial reading, I'm not sure I'm going to like...it sounded a bit overwhelming with pollution, poverty, traffic and crime so thought we'd just spend a few days to see the main sites. But, you were there and liked it, so I need to look at it more carefully. Yanumty, I didn't realize I couldn't get to Sardinia directly from Sicily....will check that out too.

Perhaps I can go to Corsica first (to get the warmer weather)...spend 2 weeks there....and then do the ferry to Sardinia and just spend 5 days on the best of the northeast coast, and then get to Sicily and spend 2 weeks. yanumpty on Sep 11, 10 at 01:46 PM I am sure we have been through the process a couple of times with other posters. I don't think that it is possbile. Haven't look at say meridiana recently. Personally, I didn't enjoy Sicily (but many do). The driving was awful and many areas were very, very scruffy. It is a place of extremes and without thorough planning you can have problems. Google image the areas around southern Corsica and north-eastern Sardinia, I think that will make your mind up for you. valtor on Sep 11, 10 at 02:46 PM Barefootbeach, Palermo is a beautiful city. It was a very nice surprise for us (because we worried as you do). We did not have any unpleasant incident there, the city was clean, we did not see beggers or crime.

We stayed 6 nighs, so we had 5 full days and an evening. Three days from these we did day tours to Monreale, Erice (by bus) and Cefalu (by train). So we had two full days for Palermo. We took the sightseeing bus tour, the ticket is for two days if I remember correctly (north and south parts of the city). The architecture is breathtaking, thriving, picturesque, city with Rococco and Baroque opulence. So we walked a lot, seeing and making a lot of pictures in Piazza Pretoria, Quattro Canti, Teatro Politeama Garibaldi, Piazza Marina...We visited the Cathedral, Palazzo dei Normanni (Norman Palace) with its splendid Cappella Palatina (Palatine Chapel), La Martorana Church, Teatro Massimo, Palazzo Mirto, Botanical Garden. As you see, a long list for two days and some hours after our day tours out of city! If you are in a weekend near Piazza Marina, go to via Butera (we stayed there) for dining in a small restaurant there.

The tables are on the street, the smell of fishes and meat on the grill is every where Images2 on Sep 24, 10 at 08:59 AM The food is very hardy. The charcuterie is excellent as well as the cheese and tomato and eggplant dishes. The portions were very large. A Stazzona 17 rue du fond in Calenzana was excellent. Their outdoor garden dining area is a nice place to dine. We preferred ordering a la carte rather than their set menu of 3 or 4 courses. The set menus on Corsica weren't of the quality as ordering a la carte. A Pignata on Route du Pianu, just 3 miles from Levie is excellent. They have one menu at 40€ which everyone has. It's so much food, you'll not be able to eat it all, but it was very traditional to Corsica. This is also an Ferme Auberge but we didn't stay here, but at a B&B in Levie. Their web site is The road was very potholed for about a mile on the way to this Auberge, but still drivable. Reservations a must here.

In Bonifacio we noticed one cafe which was very crowded so we made reservations for the following evening. Cantina Doria at 27 rue Doria. It was our only bad meal in Corsica, although it is recommended in the guide books. Skip this one. In Calvi we went to the Polyphonique Festival in the Citadell. We had time between concerts to eat in the citadell at a restaurant that has an outstanding view over the bay, set in a gardened area. I don't remember the name of it, but it was very pleasant. The local outdoor market in L'Ile Rousse was excellent. It takes place every morning. They even had live lobsters. We didn't care for the town at all, but Bodri plage was nice. The train that runs along to coast isn't operating now. Corsica is having problems with their trains. We went on the old train from Bastia to Vizzavona and it was terrible. The windows are so dirty, the train slow and loud. It's not a pleasant ride. Take the bus instead or simply rent a car. We rented our car in Ajaccio the 2nd day we were in Corsica.

Taking the train the first day wasn't a good choice. We were very happy with buying food at small markets on the island. In the coastal area east of Porto Vecchio there are many countryside markets off the road with fresh produce. Picnic on the beach! Thanks images With the current price of trans atlantic flights, I think we may stay in Europe next year. We may well charter and sail over from Sardinia to Corsica. Thanks for the food suggestions, will keep them in mind. barefootbeach on Sep 27, 10 at 10:20 PM yanumpty, Thanks for asking....the planning is on hold right now, but I'm saving all these great details! Corsica is a definite...now, it's between Sardinia and Sicily. Images2....I'm looking forward to hearing more from you in your trip report....thanks for the great reporting so far. We were thinking of taking one train...so think we'll now stick to car rentals....plus, then there's no risk of strikes, which the French seem to love to do! Images2 on Sep 28, 10 at 06:32 PM Yes, there have been many strikes lately.

In fact we took Corsica ferries from Toulon to Bastia, which is the Italian company. Good thing, since SNCM was on strike the day we left and didn't make the trip. We were very happy with Corsica ferries, even though the night crossing was loud. We had a cabin but something was banging around all night near by. Still managed to sleep ok and the speakers wake you about an hour before arrival in the morning.

Question: Which is further north, Corsica or Sardinia?
Answer: Corsica